The Scottish Football Association admit Gordon Strachan may have had a point about genetics after receiving a record number of applications from redheads to be their next manager.

Strachan left by “mutual consent” after overseeing yet another unsuccessful qualification campaign, but not before blaming Scotland’s footballing shortcomings on genetics.

Although it was widely derided as a laughable excuse, everyone stopped laughing when David Moyes, Alex McLeish and Stuart McCall showed up to apply for the vacancy.

While not Scottish themselves, Neil Lennon, Alexi Lalas and TV’s Chris Evans have also registered their interest.

Speaking exclusively to Football Burp, one SFA spokesperson poured scorn on the notion that being ginger is not conducive to playing football well.

They said: “No no no, not at all. It’s certainly not the case that gingerness adversely affects playing football.

“Just managing.”